How to obtain a Coxswain Ticket

COXSWAIN COURSES OPERATING AS NORMAL

All Hands on Deck Maritime Training Coxswain and General Purpose Hand courses are still operating. We understand that people require a Coxswain or General Purpose Hand Ticket to obtain, or maintain, employment so we are working hard to ensure that candidates still have the opportunity to do so. As a Registered Training Organisation (#90927) we are classified as an Educational Organisation and therefore exempt from travel resstrictions.

Our May 1st course is currently full with the next course on the 29th May . We run courses every month and the majority of the course can now be completed online and enrolments can still be made anytime.

We are also restructing the ‘Practical’ course component where we are working to make this 100%. This will apply to candidates on an individual basis and depend on which level of Coxswain Ticket is required (EX38, NC1 or NC2).

Is there any work for Coxswain’s?

Did you know there are over 27,000 domestic commercial vessels in Australia with over 66,000 crew working on these vessels. A recent survey revealed that over 75% of companies are having difficulty finding qualified crew! (Source: Working Boats issue 14).

What do I need to do to obtain a Coxswain’s Ticket?

This is probably one of the most common questions we receive. If you found us on the internet then you most likely have that ability to use a computer. That being the case obtaining your Coxswain’s Ticket is an easy 4 step process.

Complete the Coxswain course initial enrolment and complete online activities and assignments based of the knowledge required of a Coxswain. We estimate this component will take approximately 35 hours of self study and can be completed anywhere online

Complete a pre course project based on what you have learnt from the online assignments. We estimate this can be completed in 4-5 hours.

On successful completion of the Coxswain course submit your application to AMSA.

Types of Coxswain Certificates

In accordance with the National Law 2012 and the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D (Crew Competencies), there are 2 grades of Coxswain Certificates of Competency. These grades are known as Coxswain NC2 and Coxswain NC1. (NC = Near Coastal – NC2 is the lower grade and NC1 the higher grade).

Marine Safety (Low Complexity Duties) Exemption38

AMSA ammended the requirements regarding holding a full Coxswain qualification by introducing the Marine Safety (Low Complexity Duties) Exemption (commonly known as Exemption 38). This exemption does not require any sea time it just requires a demonstration of competency for 3 units. To see details of where the certificate applies and the conditions of use please go to the AMSA website at amsa.gov.au or call us at 0434803687

Coxswain NC2 Certificate

The Coxswain NC2 Certificate and will allow you to be in command of a vessel under 12 metres in length, which does NOT carry passengers and has a diesel engine capacity of <100 kW (135hp) or unlimited outboard engine capacity in smooth or sheltered waters, or within 3nm of a parent vessel in the EEZ or within 3nm from the shore base or aquaculture lease. (Examples may be Survey or Research vessels, vessels conducting mooring servicing, Pilot vessel, Lines Boats, vessels operated by Maritime authorities such as Boating Service Officer (BSO) vessels, Police vessels, Customs and Fisheries patrol vessels, commercial divers, Surf Club and/or Sailing club vessels etc

Coxswain NC1 Certificate

The Coxswain NC1 course is for all persons who wish to be command a commercial vessel (Fishing Charter vessel – Water Taxi – Passenger Ferry/Cruise Boat etc) up to 12 metres in length, operating 15 nautical miles to sea, with a diesel engine capacity of <500 kW (670hp) and carrying passengers.

If you wish to work as a Deckhand, or General Purpose Hand, as the position is officially known, and be part of the competent crew on board a commercial vessel under 80 metres in length you need to enrol in the GPH Course so please Click Here

Providing evidence of sea service (this can include up to 100% of recreational boating experience). Sea service (boating experience) can be stated in a letter format or on a Statutory Declaration and accompanied by AMSA Form 771

The current regulations include one of the most important conditions and that is evidence of boating experience CAN include ONLY recreational boating sea service. The amount of sea service varies depending on whether a task book is completed or not.

For example for a Coxswain (Grade 2 NC) sixty (60) days of sea service (this can be 100% recreational boat experience) can be reduced to seven (7) days (approx. 52.5 hrs) of sea service with a completed AMSA task book.

For a Coxswain (Grade I NC) Certificate two hundred and forty (240) days of sea service on commercial and/or recreational vessels without a task book is reduced to thirty (30) days sea service on commercial vessels with a completed AMSA task book. Sea Service can be recorded on AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service.

If you are interested in obtaining a Coxswain Certificate then we believe there has never been a better opportunity and these are certainly exciting times for the maritime industry as a whole. Please call our Senior Trainer on P:0434 803 687 if you have any questions about sea service requirements.

When training has been successfully completed candidates are issued with a Nationally Recognised ‘Coxswain Grade I or II’ Certificate in Maritime Operations.

Our courses are designed for candidates who wish to complete the course in a reasonable time frame suited to individual work and personal situations rather than taking months of part time college attendance. We use the internet for initial training and in addition we have our own training vessel, in commercial 2C survey for up to 30 nautical miles to sea, and therefore we conduct the Coxswain Course in 2 parts:

The Initial Enrolment – this involves downloading training resources and completing a number of online assignments. We estimate about 35 hours of self study. The hours of study can vary and is dependent on your current individual level of knowledge of the maritime environment. No face to face attendance is required at this time however our trainers are available 7 days a week for assistance and questions. In addition, if you have limited or no experience with Coastal Navigation (this component is required for an NC1 Certificate) then we have available our Coastal Navigation Training program with Chart, Dividers, Parallel Rules etc for those that wish to master this knowledge.

The Final Practical Session (Practical Sessions are held every month all year round). The Coxswain course is completed by attending for 4 days of practical training at our training vessel.

These training days are Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to minimise the time required to be away from work. If you have already completed the Fire, Survival, W H &S, and Seamanship (Anchoring, Splicing, Knots, Hitches etc) components from the General Purpose Hand (GPH) course then the practical course may be reduced by 2 days. During the Coxswain Practical Session we also conduct the examination to obtain a Marine Radio Licence. A coxswain must be in possession of a Marine Radio licence

The General Purpose Hand and Coxswain Practical sessions are held back to back so that both components can be completed at the same and in a block period which is ideal for those candidates who are travelling from interstate.

We have many candidates who attend the course from interstate locations such Darwin, Perth, Geraldton, Thursday Island, Cairns, Gladstone, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Geelong, Melbourne, as well as many locations up and down the NSW Coast. Currently 40% of persons come from Queensland and 20% from Victoria. Currently there are 3 direct flight with Jetstar and Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne daily into Newcastle.

Course Calendar

Coxswain course initial enrolment

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Sea Time – Boating Experience

Prior to submitting a Coxswain application to AMSA candidates need to provide evidence of boating experience. This CAN include 100% of recreational and yachting boating experience and will be assessed on an individual basis depending on where the experience was obtained and on what size and type of vessel. Sea Service should be recorded on AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Serviceas well as on a Statutory Declaration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and

Recognition ofCurrent Competencies (RCC)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and

Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC)

If you have prior commercial boating experience or certificates/qualifications you may be eligible for a reduction in costs and/or training. To download an application form pleaseClick Hereor Complete our Skills Recognition Form. To download the form pleaseClick Here

First Aid Certificate

1st Aid Certificate (HLTAID003 Provide First Aid)

Candidates must be in possession of a current 1st Aid Certificate. It is not necessary to have a 1st Aid Certificate prior to commencing the course however a copy must be provided as soon as possible after the completion of the course before the Coxswain Course Certificate can be issued. The current 1st Aid Certificate to obtain is: HLTAID003 Provide First Aid

AMSA Trial Assessment

Are your ready for the AMSA ‘final assessment’?. This is the final and most important part of the whole process. You need to be able to demonstrate to the AMSA Examiner that you have the skills, experience and knowledge to operate a commercial vessel.

To assist you in preparing for the ‘final assessment’ we have developed some Trial Assessments. You can test your knowledge on these trial assessments and we will give you feed back on whether you are ready or may require a little extra study.

Coxswain 650+ exam questions

Coxswain Online Exam Questions Information

All Hands on Deck Maritime Training have been conducting Coxswain courses since 2004. In that time we have achieved a very successful record of candidates obtaining their Coxswain Certificate on the 1st attempt. One of the reasons for this is that we provide unlimited access to our bank of over 650 examination questions so that candidates can stay fresh with their knowledge and be well prepared for the final AMSA assessment.

We do realise, however, that not everyone can get to our courses so we have made the examination questions available online to everyone.

The questions are in 2 seperate catergories: Category 1 includes the following:

Seamanship and rope handling

Splicing, knots and hitches

Vessel handling

Fire Fighting

Survival at Sea

Emergency Procedures

Meteorology

Tides & Currents

Collision and Domestic Regulations and more!

Category 2 includes the following:

How Marine Diesel Engines work

Operating Diesel Engines

Operating Outboard Engines

Gearboxes and shaftings

Refuelling and Fuel Storage

Hydraulic systems & Steerage gear

Bilge pumping and Deck wash systems

DC Batteries & AC Generators

Slipway work and maintenance

Deck Machinery and more!

Both categories can be purchased together for only $99.00. It is important to remember that Coxswain positions are a dual role position (Skipper and Engineer) therefore you should possess engineering knowledge as well as seamanship knowledge.

In addition to accessing over 650 examination questions you will also receive the following:

Unlimited access to the examination questions

All Training manuals in a download format

Unlimited access to our Senior Trainer via email or phone with any questions you may have

Useful Links

1. Park in the Newcastle Marina carpark (Look for the NCYC ‘Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’ sign on the side of the building)
2. Walk towards the harbour and turn right.
3. Walk down to the last dock – Dock A. That’s where you will find us. It’s that easy.